What is Liquefied Natural Gas?

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to -160° Celsius where the gas becomes liquid. Natural gas in a liquid state (LNG), occupies 1/600th of its original volume and can be stored in tanks and loaded on to specially designed LNG carriers for safe and efficient shipment to overseas customers. This is the safest way to transport natural gas.

LNG is odourless, non-pressurized, non-corrosive and non-toxic. If there were to be a spill, LNG evaporates very quickly into the atmosphere and does not mix with water or soil. The LNG industry has an excellent global safety record. LNG has been shipped for more than 50 years and in that time there have been no major safety or environmental incidents.

Video Source: BC LNG Alliance

Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. It creates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than coal and oil, and when used to displace those fuels can result in up to 45 percent fewer emissions than coal and 30 percent fewer emissions than oil. Unconventional natural gas extracted through hydraulic fracturing has 40 percent fewer emissions than coal when the entire lifecycle from extraction to final use is taken into account. (Source - http://www.shaleresourcecentre.ca)

LNG is the same natural gas delivered by pipelines to millions of homes across Canada for heating, cooking and in many provinces, to fuel electricity generation. Natural gas is also increasingly being used as a transportation fuel for heavy duty vehicles and marine vessels.